Tomb of the Sea Episode 8 Recap
> Tomb of the Sea Recap
Wu Xie, trapped underground, deduced Su Nan's aggressive plan to blast an opening from above, leaving them with merely five minutes to find a hiding spot. He stressed the extreme peril, likening the palace ceiling to a colossal rock suspended overhead, certain to collapse. Su Nan, he noted, had used enough explosives to sink the palace by half a meter, essentially betting their lives on their ability to find temporary refuge.
Despite his personal history of losing bets, Wu Xie found hope in the principles of ancient architecture, believing that for every "death gate," there must be a "life gate." They soon entered another palace, strikingly similar to the one they had just left. There, Wu Xie meticulously studied a mural depicting figures worshipping a divine tree, which he inferred was either a sacred totem or a deity's embodiment, particularly since no such tree existed within the actual palace.
One of Master Ma's subordinates, later identified as Lao Mai, urged Wu Xie to perform his usual trick of striking a brick to reveal an exit. Wu Xie insisted he was merely a photographer, a claim Lao Mai scoffed at. With less than a minute until the next explosion, Wu Xie acknowledged Su Nan's impatience, just as the ground began to quake. They managed to escape the imminent collapse.
Outside, the explosion, paradoxically, saved Li Cu, who emerged from the sand unharmed, though the intricate pattern on his back was now exposed for all to see. Ye Xiao, who had been missing, also reappeared. Master Ma, upon seeing Li Cu's back, immediately recognized the markings as a map of gems. Both Master Ma and Su Nan were intensely interested in the underground mural. Master Ma demanded to know its meaning.
Wu Xie explained it was a map to the "true" GuTongJing, clarifying that their current location was a false one. He admitted he only managed to capture two partial images during the chaos of the blasting and required more time to decipher its complete connection to the engravings on Li Cu's back. Later, Lao Mai complained to Master Ma about taking orders from Su Nan. Master Ma quickly shut him down, stating their only concern was obtaining what they sought.
In a subsequent confrontation, Lao Mai confronted Wu Xie (whom he referred to as Master Guan), accusing him of withholding information about Li Cu's back. Wu Xie maintained he was only paid as a photographer. Master Ma then warned Wu Xie to be cooperative, emphasizing his business principles and methods, which prioritized getting what he desired. He brought up the casualties from their descent, holding Wu Xie responsible.
Wu Xie retorted that Master Ma had forced everyone to descend despite the dangers. Lao Mai interjected, threatening Wu Xie with violence from Master Ma's men if he didn't cooperate, revealing that these men were wanted criminals with multiple murders to their names. Wu Xie acknowledged their dangerous reputation but still insisted he needed more time to study the map. Late that night, Li Cu discovered Marera secretly taking a car to flee.
Li Cu convinced Marera to take him along, but just as they started the vehicle, Su Nan appeared directly in front of them, blocking their escape and forcing them to return to the camp. The next morning, Master Ma had a private conversation with the director. He revealed that a severe car accident years ago had left him almost paralyzed, and despite intensive rehabilitation, he hadn't fully recovered.
He believed that GuTongJing held the key to restoring his full abilities, making its discovery paramount. He then subtly threatened the director and his crew, hinting at the criminal pasts of his henchmen to ensure their continued cooperation. Abruptly, the desert began to sink, and the vehicles became trapped. Panic ensued as everyone scrambled to escape the collapsing ground.
Meanwhile, in the city, Su Wan and Yang Hao were in a cybercaf, plotting revenge for Li Cu by researching the Crescent Hotel. They discovered that an auction house named Baosheng consistently supplied items to the hotel, and its legal representative was Zhang Rishan—the same man they had previously seen at the Crescent Hotel. Yang Hao questioned their ability to "destroy" such a powerful figure.
As they left the cybercaf, they were accosted by their class teacher, Mr. Yang, who chastised Su Wan for being at a cybercaf with "street rascals." Yang Hao initially defended Su Wan, but Su Wan quickly silenced him, confirming Mr. Yang was his teacher. Mr. Yang insisted on taking Su Wan with him. In the car, Su Wan became suspicious, noticing that Mr. Yang had a car and recalling the human-skin masks at the Crescent Hotel.
Realizing this Mr. Yang was an impostor, he covertly sent a voice message to Yang Hao, stating that their teacher was fake. Yang Hao, engrossed in a game, initially dismissed the message. However, after finishing his game, he listened to Su Wan's frantic recording and connected it to Su Wan's previous warnings about "face peels" at the Crescent Hotel. Panicked, he rushed to Shen Qiong for help. Shen Qiong remained surprisingly calm despite Yang Hao's dire account.
Convinced of Su Wan's demise, Yang Hao dragged Shen Qiong to "burn paper money" for him, comically burning his customized clothes, suggesting he become a fashionista in the afterlife, and even playfully offered to burn Shen Qiong's "image" for him, knowing Su Wan's affection for her. Just then, a disheveled Su Wan appeared, muttering poetry. Shen Qiong remarked on his heavy "resentment."
Su Wan explained he had been taken for remedial tutoring by the imposter Mr. Yang, confirming it wasn't their real teacher. He then presented a wild theory: the "Jiu Men" they heard about at the Crescent Hotel actually referred to "nine academic subjects" (Chinese, math, English, chemistry, physics, biology, geography, history, and politics). He concluded that the Crescent Hotel was, in fact, a "cramming league" dedicated to improving the grades of "slackers" like himself and Li Cu.
While Shen Qiong and Yang Hao found his theory preposterous, they also admitted it made a strange kind of sense. Shen Qiong urged Su Wan to be cautious and offered her help with his studies, also warning Yang Hao not to lead Su Wan into danger again. Yang Hao, embracing Su Wan's new academic zeal, declared his intention to study hard and not disgrace the "cramming league."
Meanwhile, the imposter Mr. Yang, revealed to be Zhang Rishan, removed his lifelike face mask. He then summoned Master Yin to the Crescent Hotel for a meeting. During their conversation, Zhang Rishan, a temporary resident at the hotel, slyly remarked on Master Yin's financial gains from the establishment, making Master Yin feel at a disadvantage. Zhang Rishan complimented Master Yin's composure amid turmoil.
Master Yin expressed his regret over the fragmentation of the Jiu Men, acknowledging that no single faction could dominate anymore and that collaboration was essential. Zhang Rishan reiterated this was why he sought Master Yin, recognizing his status as an "outsider" after "Uncle Buddha's" passing. He leveraged Master Yin's free accommodation at the hotel, subtly hinting at the encroaching threats from other Jiu Men factions.
Master Yin, recalling Yin Xinyue's decree against the hotel's interference in Jiu Men affairs, initially resisted. However, Zhang Rishan emphasized the benefits of "sharing the meal." Master Yin, while still cautious, eventually agreed to cooperate. Zhang Rishan then shrewdly chose Luo Que for his task, praising his exceptional skills. Dr. Liang Wan anxiously tried calling Su Wan, but his phone was off, sparking deep worry.
Later, her director praised her work, specifically mentioning her excellent handling of "the kid whose back was a complete mess"—Li Cu. Upon hearing this, Liang Wan broke down, weeping uncontrollably. She confessed her guilt, believing she might have caused Li Cu harm, and now feared she might endanger another child, Su Wan. Her director was left utterly bewildered by her emotional outburst.
